Work From Home (WFH) Best Practices from a Technology Executive

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Even as some areas begin to lift the pandemic lockdowns, working from home (WFH) appears to be a long-term affair. With the uncertainty around flare-ups or the discovery of a vaccine, companies big and small should prepare for the possibility of not returning to the office anytime soon. Even during phase one of the re-opening process, large meetings in conference rooms will likely still be banned due to social distancing requirements — meaning that remote meetings will be essential even when all participants are in the office.

Here are some of my favorite work-from-home tips that I continue to push to my employees every week:

1. Dress for success. Get ready to WFH just as you would get ready for a day at the office. Take a shower, eat breakfast, get your workout in, brush your teeth, comb your hair, and put on your work shoes, too. Staying in pajamas means that your mind stays in pajamas, too.
2. Suppress your notifications. We’ve all been distracted by push notifications on our smartphones, whether incoming texts, news bulletins, recommended recipes of the day, reminders to play your new favorite game, etc. Be brutal about your non-essential smartphone notifications during the workday. Brutal = turning them off completely.
3. Find your zone. Invest in noise-canceling earbuds or headphones and try to drone out what is happening around you. If you have videocalls frequently, a headset will help shut off distractions from your audience, too.
4. Watch your background. Part of good video-conferencing etiquette is having a neutral background. You don’t want your audience focusing on your unmade bed, dogs running around, kids wrestling, extravagant wall decor, etc. Reposition your desk to put your back to a blank wall, or use the image background feature on Zoom.
5. Balance family time and work time. Let’s be honest — when Mom or Dad says, “I’m working from home today,” the kids (and your pets, too!) often translate it as, “I’m staying home to play today.” To minimize distractions, call a family meeting and establish a work schedule, so they know when you are working and should not be disturbed. If you have younger children, try calling it “Quiet Time” or something similar — it will help them relate.
6. Schedule lunch and breaks. Mental overload is real. Everyone’s brain needs a break or two during the workday, just as if you were in the office. As part of the family meeting I mentioned above, also pre-schedule your lunchtime and a thinking break or two. It will be a great way to recharge your batteries and maybe even spend a little free time with your family.
7. Ask for help if you need it. The goal of WFH is to be just as productive as you are in the office. Don’t hesitate to ask your manager/IT staff/etc. for anything you need, be it a keyboard, a mousepad, a larger monitor, etc. Your managers are there to help make you as successful at home as you are in the office.
8. Establish a home office. Your attention naturally wanders at times, even in the office. There’s no reason to get frustrated if your concentration isn’t as strong as it could be. That being said, I guarantee you will not be productive if you try to work at the kitchen table or out by the pool every day. Find a dedicated office space and claim it for WFH. Having a devoted space helps you establish a routine and work uninterrupted.
9. Be seen. Don’t hide behind your laptop. Use the camera function on your video-conferencing app as much as you can. Eye contact is just as important in a virtual meeting as an in-person meeting.
10. Communicate fully. When WFH, there’s no such thing as overcommunicating. Share your schedule and availability frequently with those with whom you interact the most. When you finish something important, inform the other stakeholders immediately. Overcommunicating means providing more updates and more frequently.
11. Always be positive. I’ve always liked succinct and clear messages — short, sweet, and to the point. Yet at the same time I know such messages often read as if I am angry, frustrated, and/or losing patience. When you WFH, your e-communications must be exceptionally positive. Exclamation points and emojis are a great way to convey positivity.
12. Set an end-of-day habit. Just as you should start your day with a routine, you should end your day with one too. Establish a habit that signals the close of the workday. It could be turning off your laptop, starting to cook dinner, or doing some sort of exercise. will help you begin to unwind after a long day of work. Just be sure to commit to whatever you choose to do.

These are only 12 of my favorite work from home tips. What are yours? Let me know in the comments!